Multi color board game

ABSTRACT

A multi-color game board is provided that includes a game board having a single strip comprising a beginning start position of one color and an end position having the same color as the start position and a multi-color chance device in which a user of the game board apparatus may randomly select a color to designate the player&#39;s turn. One or more players may utilize the multi-color game board by rolling a colored die and moving from one colored position to another while trying to avoid rolling the die on a designated color

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a multi-colored game that may be played on a game board or electronically, in which a player or players move their game pieces over various colored spaces.

BACKGROUND

There are many board games in the world that may be played with multiple players. Many such games, when started, take a long time to play. The longer the game, the less exciting the games tend to be because the fun comes in spurts.

In addition to board games that are of long duration, there are a number of dice games which also last a long time, are played by multiple players, make limited use of color on the boards, and are not very exciting.

There is a need in the art for a board game using a chance device such as a single die that provides non-stop excitement, quick action, reward, thrill of victory and defeat, and also uses color components to enhance the visual effect of the game.

Also, most games require at least two players. There are not many dice games in which a single player alone can play.

SUMMARY

The present general inventive concept provides a multi-color game board that includes a game board having a single strip comprising a beginning start position of one color and an end position having the same color as the start position and a multi-color chance device in which a user of the game board apparatus may randomly select a color to designate the player's turn. One or more players may utilize the multi-color game board by rolling a colored die and moving from one colored position to another while trying to avoid rolling the die on a designated color.

Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.

Embodiments of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing game board apparatus including a game board including a single strip comprising a beginning start position of one color and an end position having the same color as the start position, and a multi-color chance device in which a user of the game board apparatus may randomly select a color to designate the player's turn.

The colors of the multi-color chance device may be white, blue, green, yellow/gold, black and red.

The color red may signify the end of a players game, the player being dead. The game board may further include a white home position.

The single strip may include a plurality of other colors different from the one position.

The plurality of other colors may include blue, yellow/gold and green.

One of the plurality of other colors is disposed at a position adjacent to the end.

The game board apparatus may further include triangular shaped red positions disposed adjacent the position adjacent to the end position and disposed adjacent to the end position.

The game board may have a narrow neck and a wide head.

A player may be eliminated by rolling a single color on the game board.

Embodiments may be achieved by providing a game board apparatus including a game board including a plurality of multi-color game boards arranged about a single end position, and a multi-color chance device in which a user of the game board apparatus may randomly select a color to designate the player's turn.

Adjacent multi-color board strips may be positioned orthogonal to each other.

Embodiments of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a method of playing a game in which a player rolls a colored die and moves from one colored position to another while trying to avoid rolling a designated color.

Rolling the designated color may result in a dead outcome or a re-start.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concepts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of the game board according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a game board according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the six sides of a die of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the invention. As used herein “embodiments” and “implementations” are interchangeable words that are non-limiting examples of devices or methods employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplary embodiments. Further, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but do not have to be exclusive. For example, specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are to be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of some ways in which the inventive concepts may be implemented in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), of the various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings is generally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities between illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When an exemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to the described order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

The x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, such as the x, y, and z-axes, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to one another.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, to describe one elements relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized to account for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As customary in the field, some exemplary embodiments are described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in terms of functional blocks, units, and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these blocks, units, and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits, such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like, which may be formed using semiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturing technologies. In the case of the blocks, units, and/or modules being implemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, they may be programmed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit, and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block, unit, and/or module of some exemplary embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts. Further, the blocks, units, and/or modules of some exemplary embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary configuration of a game board 100 of the present general inventive concept. The game board 100 may be embodied as a solid material such as cardboard or like material and may also be embodied on a computer system or hand-held device to be played electronically. The hand-held device may be such as a smartphone or a dedicated game console. The game may be part of an overall gaming system that includes multiple games to choose from. The game board 100 includes six different colored positions 120, 130, 150, 165, 170, 190 and multiple red positions 140, 160 and 180 that correspond to the six different sides on a standard die. The game board 100 may be referred to as a multi-color game board.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a game board according to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept. As illustrated, the game board 100 by be embodied only by a single strip of colored positions, or may be configured to have multiple strips, that is, multiple game boards 100 joined together to form the multiple game board 200. When a single game board 100 is used, a single or multiple players may place their game pieces on a single board. When multiple boards are used as illustrated in FIG. 2 , each player may use a single strip of the board 100 for their respective game pieces.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the six sides of a die 300 of the present general inventive concept. The die 300 used with the game board 100 of the present general inventive concept is multi-colored and may be called a “colorcube.” Each face of the die 300, or a portion of each face of the die 300 is marked with a single color of white, black, yellow/gold, blue, green and red, as represented by the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in FIG. 3 . Though the use of the die 300 is described throughout this specification, the embodiments of the present general inventive concept are not limited thereto. The die 300 is one type of multi-color chance device that may be used to select a random color by a player of the game. Other multi-color chance devices may include a spinner arrow that selects one of the various colors. Another chance device could be a deck of cards, each card being one of the six different colors of the game. Other chance devices may be used as are known in the art.

The game board 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 as only a single board and in FIG. 2 as multiple game boards 200 connected together will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. The game board 100 has multiple color positions that correspond to the six sides of the multi-color die. The six positions are a white home position 120, a black start position 130, a yellow position 150, a blue position 170, a green position 165, a black finish position 190 and various red positions 140, 160 and 180. The yellow position 150, blue position 170 and green 165 positions may be referred to as middle positions tiles. The middle positions tiles are modular and may be interchangeably placed within a frame of the board based on user preference. An external edge of the game board 100 may include a wire frame or the like, and the modular middle position tiles may be cardboard pieces that can be variously positioned therein.

The five positions making up the start position 130, yellow position 150, blue position 170 and green position 165 may be said to make up the neck portion of the game board 100. The black finish position 190 may be the head portion of the game board 100. The black finish position 190 may be wider than the neck portion of the game board 100.

The red positions 140, 160 and 180 are the color positions in which a player “dies” and loses the game and has to go back to the home position 120. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , adjacent the yellow position 150 is a narrow rectangular designation 140 labeled “red-u-ded.” According to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept, a “red-u-ded” rectangle is also placed adjacent the blue position 170. In order to obtain a streamlined game board 100 that connects the blue position 170 and green position 165 to the final black position 190, triangular shaped “red-u-ded” positions 160 are located adjacent either side of the green position 165. These triangular positions 160 help to denote the name of the game and emphasize that when a player obtains a red color from the colorcube, depending on the game option chosen by the players, either the player loses, has to go back to the home position 120, or designates that another player goes back to the home position 120.

When a player rolls the multi-color die and red faces up, the player is “dead.” Hence, a name for the multi-color board game may be RED-U-DED™. Thus the red-u-ded portions on the board are displayed to keep the players on edge, knowing that a wrong roll of the colorcube could land them back at the start. The Red-u-ded portions are also prominently displayed for advertising purposes.

The different positions on the Board 100 will now be described.

The home position 120 is where a player or players place one or more game pieces before starting the game. The game may be played by one or more players. The one or more game pieces may be colored squares or tokens, matching the colors of the board. Additionally, one or more game pieces may be figurines of unique and varied shape to allow a player to distinguish their game piece from another player. The home position 120 and the other color positions of the board are not limited in shape. The home position 120 and the other color positions can be square shaped, rectangular, circular, triangular, or any geometric shape, and a frame made to match. Alternatively no frame may be used, and the color middle positions are free standing pieces that may be rearranged. The home position 120 is white in color, but is not limited thereto. The home position 120 color is different than the plurality of board position colors. When playing the game, when a player rolls a white on the colorcube, the player obtains a free roll, and is allowed to roll again.

The start position 130 is the position a player moves after rolling a black color on the colorcube. As with the other colors on the board 100, a player may not move ahead until they roll the color of the next space on the board.

The yellow position 150 is the position a player moves to after rolling yellow when on the start position 130, or after rolling yellow and going backwards from the blue position 170. Adjacent the yellow position 150 is a first red space 140. Thus, the first time a player may be “dead” from rolling red is when they move to the yellow position 150. A player may only be designated “dead” from one of the middle positions 150, 165, or 170.

The blue position 170 is the position a player moves to after rolling blue when on the yellow position 150, or after rolling blue and going backwards from the green position 165. When on the blue position 170, a player is susceptible to being “dead” if they roll a red color on the colorcube. The player places their game piece on the red position 180 and is out of the game, and must go back to Home. This immediate chance of elimination from the game adds to the excitement.

The green position 165 is the position a player moves to after rolling green when on the blue position 170. When on the green position 165, a player is susceptible to being “dead” if they roll a red color on the colorcube. If a player rolls a red when on the green position 170, the player places their game piece on the red position 160 and is out of the game.

When a player obtains a red indication on the colorcube, the player temporarily moves their player piece to the “red-u-dead” rectangle immediately adjacent the color they are on before moving their game piece back to the Home position 120, or until they remove their game piece from the game board 100.

Methods of playing the multi-colored board game will now be described. Though not limited to the following description, when starting a game, all of the players place their game pieces on the home position 120. Players may decide who goes first by rolling the multi-colored die. Since a player wins the game by reaching the black end position 190, the black side of the die has the highest value when rolling to see who goes first. If more than one players roll a black, then those players conduct a roll-off to determine who has the highest color ranking. The player that rolls the highest color ranking goes first, and other players then take turns in a clockwise fashion. The color rankings are as they appear on the Multi-Color Board. Black is highest, then green, then blue, then yellow/gold, then white, and Red is the lowest color ranking. After deciding who goes first, a first player, or player 1 will roll the multi-colored die.

The multi-colored board game may be played with one or more players. At the outset of the game, the single or multiple players places their game pieces on the home position 120. When a player rolls the die and black appears on the multi-colored die, or colorcube, the player moves their game piece from home position 120 to start position 130, which shares a designation with a “safe” position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . A player cannot move from home position 120 to start position 130 unless the players rolls a black color. In order to progress through the game and win, a player must roll the colors in the order they are presented on the board including black, yellow, blue, green, and black again. When a player rolls a red on the colorcube, the players must go back to the Home position 120, or the player's game is over, depending on which variation of the game players choose to play.

When a player is on the black start position 130, when yellow appears on the colorcube, the player moves their game piece from the black position 130 to the yellow position 150. If red appears on the colorcube, the player is dead and must move back to the home position 120, or is out of the game, and must wait until the other players finish the game. When any color besides yellow or red appears on the colorcube, the player must remain on black.

While a player is on the yellow position 150, when blue appears on the colorcube, the player moves their game piece from the yellow position 150 to the blue position 170. If red appears on the colorcube, the player is dead and must move back to the home position 120, or their game is over, depending on the variation. In another example embodiment, the player rolling a red can choose another player to be dead, or to have their game piece moved to the home position 120. When any color besides yellow or red appears on the colorcube, the player must remain on yellow. For an additional challenge, when on the yellow position 150, if black appears on the colorcube, a player's game piece may move backwards to the start position 130. Thus, the fun of the game is increased as players may move in both directions as well as dodge the lurking red color.

While a player is on the blue position 170, when green appears on the colorcube, the player moves their game piece from the blue position 170 to the green position 165. If red appears on the colorcube, the player is dead and must move back to the home position 120. When any color besides green or red appears on the colorcube, the player must remain on the blue position 170. For additional challenge, when on the blue position 170, if yellow appears on the colorcube, a player's game piece may move backwards to the yellow position 150 for increased fun and chance.

While a player is on the green position 165, when black appears on the colorcube, that player moves their game piece from the green position 165 to the winning black position 190. If red appears on the colorcube, the player is dead and must move back to the home position 120, off the board, or designates another player dead or to home position 120, depending on the variation of the game played. When any color besides black or red appears on the colorcube, the player must remain on the green position 165. For additional challenge, when on the green position 165, if blue appears on the colorcube, a player's game piece may move backwards to the blue position 170 for increased fun and chance.

In addition to the thrill of winning the multi-color board game, additional excitement may be added by assigning points to the various colored game positions. Points may only be accumulated when moving in a first direction from the home position 120 towards the winning black position 190. When a player moves in reverse order, points are not subtracted. Thus, if a player initially moves to the black start position 130, a first value of points, e.g. 200 points are accumulated.

When moving from the black start position 130 to the yellow position 150, a second value of points, e.g. 1000 points are accumulated. If, when on the yellow position 150, the player obtains a black on the colorcube, the player is moved back to the black start position 130. If, on the players next turn, yellow again appears on the colorcube, an additional 1000 points is added to that player's score. Therefore, in one variation of the game, at the end of the game, when a player reaches the black winning position 190, if any of the other players have accumulated more points than the first player to reach the black winning position 190, then the player with the most accumulated points is the winner.

Points for reaching the various colored positions may be: start position 200, yellow position 1000, green position 2500 points, blue position 3500 points, and winning black position 5000 points.

Although the disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosure may be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure disclosed in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a game board including a single strip comprising a beginning start position of one color and an end position having the same color as the start position; and a multi-color chance device in which a user of the game board apparatus may randomly select a color to designate the player's turn.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the colors of the multi-color chance device are white, blue, green, yellow/gold, black and red.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the color red signifies the end of a players game, the player being dead.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, the game board further comprising a white home position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, the single strip comprising a plurality of other colors different from the one color.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of other colors include blue, yellow/gold and green.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one of the plurality of other colors is disposed at a position adjacent to the end position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising triangular shaped red positions disposed adjacent the position adjacent to the end position and disposed adjacent to the end position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the game board has a narrow neck and a wide head.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a player is eliminated by rolling a single color on the game board from a designated position.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the designated position is one of three middle positions on the game board.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multi-colored chance device is a multi-colored die.
 13. An apparatus comprising: a game board including a plurality of multi-color game boards arranged about a single end position; and a multi-color chance device in which a user of the game board apparatus may randomly select a color to designate the player's turn.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein adjacent multi-color board strips are positioned orthogonal to each other.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the multi-color game boards include middle position tiles that are interchangeable with each other.
 16. A method of playing a game in which a player rolls a colored die and moves from one colored position to another colored position while avoiding rolling a designated color.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein rolling the designated color results in a dead outcome or a re-start.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the dead outcome or re-start is obtained from being on a middle position tile of a different color than the designated color. 